Have you put off buying a gift for your mum while trying to think of the perfect something to thank her and show her you care?

And is it the gift you want her to have, or the gift she wants?

eBay Mother's Day 

$79.95 Bid at eBay» Apple iPod nano 6th Generation Pink (8 GB) (Latest Model)

$0.99 Bid at eBay» IPOD NANO SILICONE CASE 3RD GENERATION RED WITH PINK HEART! NEW!!!!!!!!!

$9.99 Bid at eBay» PERFUME CHANEL MADEMOISELLE DIOR J'ADORE CHERIE PONDICHERI FRENCH REAL SET OF 5

$68.96 Bid at eBay» CHANEL No 5 PERFUME NEW LARGE 3.4 EAU DE PARFUM $120VAL Great Christmas Gift

I have been putting it off (I would have brought it long again if she'd have wanted a jungle print Snuggie...)

My dilemma? I've been thinking about what Mum would like... and what I'd like to give her. The two lists did not overlap very often. She's practical and sensible and I respect those qualities, however for Mother's Day I always want to give her something glamorous and special to show her that is what I think she deserves.

I'd like to give her a pampering day at a spa , she'd like a manicure kit so she can do her nails anytime she likes at home.

I'd like to give her a lavish afternoon indulging in cakes and treats at a hotel afternoon tea service, she'd like me to bake her some scones .

I'd like to give her a new perfume , she likes the scent she's worn for years .

I'd like to give her a cashmere cardigan , she says she hates handwashing clothes.

She says it really is the thought that counts on this day. When I was growing up she'd say dinner always tasted better when she didn't have to make it , or the coffee tasted better if she hadn't had to make it. I'm not sure about that, my Mum has always been s a good cook and we took a long time to learn, and with lots of burnt pots and over cooked pasta along the way.

I've tried to "change" her over the years with gifts I loved and thought she would too, and she'd always smile and say it was wonderful, but I'd spot the gift still in its box months later. Maybe it was "too special" to use, or too confusing?

This year I decided on a compromise. A gift I love, a gift she needs and a homebaked treat to enjoy on Mother's Day. All year I've been rapt up in meeting my 10,000 steps a day challenge.

I want to encourage my Mum to stay fit too and track her steps each day so I picked out an iPod nano with pedometre for her. I know it will push her technology limits, but I plan to spend the afternoon on her back verandah, enjoying my homebaked scones (hopefully they do taste as good as the ones at the Windsor afternoon tea I decided against taking her to) and I'll be teaching her to use the iPod. I'll include some of her favourite iTunes songs, and some of mine. And I'll show her how to add podcasts. All to ensure that this gift is not sitting in a box come Christmas time.

So as I wrap up my gift, and check the scones cooking in the oven, I'm sure this year we'll both be happy with my Mother's Day gift.